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Rodney Merrett – The first NSW open-heart surgery patient

A Heartfelt thanks for surgery 60 years ago

Rod Merrett was the first person in NSW to have had open heart surgery using the new American heart-lung machine.  Rod was operated on at RPA Hospital in 1957 by visiting surgeons from Johns Hopkins Hospital in the USA, he was only 9 years of age and remained in hospital for 6 weeks following his surgery.

The Baird Institute flew Rod from Adelaide to Sydney to participate in the panel at our 2017 Christmas Cocktails & Conversation event and to share the story of his journey with heart disease.
A story was recently published about Rod in Sydney’s Inner West Courier

Pictured: Rodney Merrett  (Inset) Front left with his surgeon and other patients.

A story was recently published about Rod in Sydney’s Inner West Courier

Read his story

By clicking on this image,  you’ll be able to download The Baird Institute’s latest newletter where on page 4, you can read about Rod’s experience, as a nine year old, while in hospital 60 years ago!

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Our mission is to foster research and apply science to improve the outcomes for patients facing heart or lung surgery.

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The Baird Institute

Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
Cardiothoracic Department, Level 7,
50 Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW, 2050

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Challenge Yourself

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  • Do a long bike ride
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  2. Click on the button “Fundraise for this cause” – just under the header image.
  3. Create your Crowdraiser. Fill in the requested details.
  4. Customise your campaign. Add images and messages to make your CrowdRaiser unique.
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